Outer Banks Wild Horses
Residents of Corova have historically been resistant to commercial construction on the northern beaches of the Outer Banks. This resistance stems from the desire to keep the area as pristine and natural as possible, but also to protect the wild horses that are a main attraction of the northern OBX beaches.
Shops in Corolla sell t-shirts and other horse related items by the hundreds. Truckloads of visitors have made the trek into the dunes to catch a glimpse of the wild horses.
In fact so many people have shown interest that the county will support a $300,000 project that will make major improvements to Ocean Pearl Road on Corova Beach.
Most of the residents of the area are in favor of the project (it will be funded with county occupancy taxes). However, the fact that the wild horses often wander along the sides of these roads is a concern to some locals.
Another cause for concern is the fact that not far from the beach in Swan Beach, a developer proposes a commercial district of 31.71 acres that would include an inn, shops, restaurants and residential units. Also in the same plans is another small commercial area of 5.86 acres that would include a fishing pier to the ocean and a bait shop.
Original plats done in 1969 set aside these tracts for commercial use. County zoning calls it residential. The commission turned down an application for a similar project on the same tract in November 2008 after residents protested.
